Le Touzet

An urban landmark for the metropolis

Concept

The project is located in Saint-Ouen, an outlying district of Paris. It consists of a new tertiary sector campus of ​​69,000m².

Program

The aim of this ambitious project was to create a place where the quality of the working environment was matched by a high level of innovation and sustainability. The proposal consisted of the modification of a group of existing office buildings dating from 1991, situated in Rue Touzet Gaillard. The infrastructure would be maintained, whilst the superstructure would be demolished and rebuilt, extending the usable floorspace to 69,000m².

The site, on the outskirts of Paris, has many advantages such as its visibility, and is well-connected by different modes of public transport. Standing at the edge of an expanse of an open green, the project ties in well with the urban context, and, at the same time, reinforces the urban edge facing the curving park.

Within the composition of the scheme, the separate buildings are organised around a generous central garden of 90m in length by 40m in width, offering an attractive natural setting for the workspaces, and avoiding potential problems of vis-à-vis.

Three transparent double-height passages cross the buildings, suggestive of Parisian arcades, leading from the central garden to the park. The idea of the openness of the building towards the park is enhanced, strengthening the relationship between the two.

Internal spaces are continuous around the perimeter of the building, allowing flexibility and endless possibilities for the organisation of work areas and team-working, such as individual offices, shared spaces or open plan. Should an entire floor be occupied by a single company, all spaces can be linked without having to pass by the main landing. Staff interaction and team-working are encouraged, however, and the ‘prow’ of each building is treated as a large open plan office with panoramic views of the neighbourhood.